Lawyers for Human Rights in Zimbabwe Assist Orphans in Securing Birth Certificates

By Effort Moyo

Lawyers for Human Rights in Zimbabwe are providing essential support to help orphans navigate the challenging process of securing birth certificates, a crucial document needed to access national identification, education, and employment.

Zimbabwean orphans often face significant barriers in obtaining birth certificates, which impact their ability to access identity cards, passports, and schooling. According to Lawyers for Human Rights, orphans can secure these certificates through the Department of Social Development’s Social Welfare offices, located in Bulawayo at Trade Gold and next to the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library.

Speaking in an interview the organization’s representative Mr Sipho Moyo said to facilitate this process, a guardian over 18 years old must accompany the orphan to the Social Welfare office.

“They need as much information as they can get. The date of birth of the child is very important, and baby cards are crucial too,”.

“School letters written by the school head are required if the child was attending school without a birth certificate. Additionally, information about the parents, such as death certificates, and details about relatives are also essential,” added Moyo.

The Social Welfare department is responsible for verifying the orphan’s birthdate through investigations.

“Social Welfare is mandated to do investigations to check the birthplace of the child and if the information provided is true. Once they get enough information, they write a report that will be sent to the Government Home Affairs offices, and then the District Registrar is the one who issues the birth certificate,” said Moyo.

“The Social Welfare becomes the informant, and it will note that the child’s parents passed away,” he further explained.

This essential support helps orphans obtain formal identification, enabling them to access fundamental rights and services in Zimbabwe.

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